Crook Hall Cafe and Apartment

Crook Hall and Gardens is a Grade I Listed Building in Durham dating back to the 13th Century. Due to the growing success of the city centre visitor attraction, the clients required additional supporting facilities with the aim of creating a much needed public face. The proposed accommodation comprised of a reception area, a coffee shop with external terrace to be used also as a wedding reception venue, storage, WC facilities and a luxury apartment to the first floor.

The client set a strong brief to create a building that was influenced by fairytales and follies to echo the romantic nature of the existing hall and gardens. This brief informed the buildings form and aesthetic with its steeply pitched roof and soft materiality including reclaimed bricks and Western Red Cedar timber shingles. A well detailed tender package, a close relationship with the clients and main contractor saw this project completed on time and on budget.